Case studies - business support
Company: The Bettie Morton Gallery
Owner: Bettie Morton
Location: Brixton
Website: www.bettiemortongallery.co.uk
Brixton now has its first mainstream commercial art gallery, thanks to the hard work of founder Bettie Morton and Business Link for London.
It was art historian Bettie Morton’s ambition to open a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Brixton and attract artists from a diverse cultural background, who sometimes feel excluded from mainstream commercial galleries.
However, she lacked two crucial ingredients: money and support.
“I
desperately needed advice, but I did not know where to start” she
explains. “I knew that to embark on such a venture would require
professional advice, but I couldn’t afford to pay for a private consultation.”
Bettie turned to Business Link for London for help, and was put in contact with her local provider, GLE oneLondon. “Within three days of my call, I had my first appointment with a business adviser to discuss my ideas,” she recounts.
Over the next year, Bettie took advantage of the many courses provided by GLE oneLondon in subjects such as marketing, accountancy and employment, to learn about every aspect of running her own business. She also attended regular meetings with her allocated business adviser, who helped her produce a business plan for the art gallery. “The business adviser helped me analyse every aspect of my business strategy and plan for the long-term future of the business,” says Bettie.
Trouble struck, however, when Bettie tried to get funding for the art gallery. She was turned down for a bank loan as they needed to see three years’ accounts. Financial institutions also voiced concerns about the location of her art gallery. “One bank manager said to me, ‘a word of advice Bettie, I do not see the kind of upmarket gallery you are proposing opening in Brixton; the two do not go together.’"
Bettie had reached another dead-end. But GLE oneLondon came to her rescue once again. Following several failed attempts to get funding from other banks, Bettie’s adviser suggested that she apply for a GLE oneLondon start up loan.
This was granted shortly afterwards and Bettie set about fitting the gallery and employing a member of staff. The doors to the gallery finally opened to the public in December 2001.
The Bettie Morton Gallery continues to thrive in its Brixton location and has housed several events including an annual art competition for artists living or working in Southwark and Lambeth, `The Brixton Open Art Prize’ and ‘Nu Origins’, Brixton’s first ever International Art Fair. The gallery has attracted such celebrities as rap artist Coolio, and work from two local artists has featured in the popular BBC drama series Baby Father II.
Bettie has also expanded the business to provide art for offices and recently negotiated the sale of an entire collection to Kings College Hospital. “None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t seen the advert for GLE oneLondon,” she explains. “They have been an invaluable source of advice as well as giving me the start up loan”